It seems to be a visitors book for a certain dead gentleman lying 'in state'. Probably where one would 'pay one's respects' by signing it.

HP

I'd say that's exactly what it is, based on the description of condition:

“NAME OF DECEASED AND VISITORS SIGNATURES WRITTEN INSIDE”

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I think this may still be practiced and seems fine to me.Maybe it goes with the casket?

It is current practice, at least in Southwestern Ontario. What I find curious is the description "1880-1936" suggesting this may have been used for more than one funeral. I shall ask my cousin (the family undertaker) about this at the next opportunity.

EDIT: Nevermind; the detailed description says that the deceased was born in 1880, which suggests this is an ordinary funeral register of the sort with which I have become all too familiar of late.

Tradition, mostly...time was, most extended families only ever got ALL their members together in one place for weddings and funerals. The tradition of guestbooks, registries, even "autograph books" where people would collect their friends' signatures---- all of that comes from a time when not everyone owned a camera--- the only record of who people were and what they did, was the written word. Keeping records of family events was a way to keep up with family.

The registry wasn't complicated--- it was just a book for signatures; people would sign their names to 'register' their presence at the event.

A long time ago, people used to keep letters, write daily in their journals--likewise, they'd keep track of visitors and attendees of family reunions, weddings, and funerals. This was, for the common man, a way to keep up with history.

Don't you have an old school yearbook full of your friends' signatures and well-wishes? Same thing... same sentiment.

Back when I was still living in the US, for twenty years I worked at a cemetery/mortuary location in Southern California and was a guest elsewhere, for funerals for several friends and relatives. Based on my experience Harvey Midnight, et al. have summed it up rather nicely.

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“Love is an emotional thing, and whatever is emotional is opposed to that cold true reason which I place above all things.” Sherlock Holmes, in The Sign of Four.